Which seaside town is the happiest?

Laguna Beach ranked no. 6 on Coastal Living magazine's list of Happiest Seaside Towns. Click on the photo slideshow to learn more about the statistics and local amenities that earned Orange County a spot on the list.FILE PHOTO: PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAGUNA BEACH – Locals weren't surprised to see their home once again recognized for its charm and beauty.

Coastal Living magazine included Laguna Beach in its list of Happiest Seaside Towns. The list comes out in the 15th anniversary issue of the magazine, available on newsstands now.

Laguna Beach took the no. 6 spot on the list, joining Kiawah Island, South Carolina, Naples, Florida, Sausalito, Lake Bluff, Illinois and Tuburon, California. The magazine looked to its archives, social media channels and statistics including the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index to compile the list. CLICK HERE to see a photo slideshow of factors that helped Laguna Beach make the cut.

Laguna Beach ranked no. 6 on Coastal Living magazine's list of Happiest Seaside Towns. Click on the photo slideshow to learn more about the statistics and local amenities that earned Orange County a spot on the list. FILE PHOTO: PAUL BERSEBACH, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
HEALTHY BEACHES: Laguna Beach's sands routinely rank among the cleanest in the state. Over the last 10 years, officials have invested in its sewer system to prevent spills, and residents have also gotten involved in regular beach cleanups. FILE PHOTO: ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SURF CULTURE: Since 1955, Laguna Beach has been home to the Brooks Street Surfing Classic, known as the oldest continuing surf contest in the world. Today, surfers are still a constant sight off of Brooks Street, Heisler Park and more. FILE PHOTO: ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
COMMUTE TIMES: Traffic can be tricky in Laguna Beach. According to the U.S. Census' American Community Survey, the average commute for residents is 29 minutes. FILE PHOTO: KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SUNNY DAYS: Laguna Beach boasts average high temperatures in the mid to high 70s during summer months, according to weather.com. August is the hottest month, and residents can expect about 280 sunny days a year. FILE PHOTO: THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
WALKABILITY: Laguna Beach is known for its walkable downtown area, which includes restaurants, shopping, the beach and more within a couple of blocks. FILE PHOTO: CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
COVES: Coastal Living calls Laguna's coves some of the most unspoiled in the U.S. The area's unique shoreline has made it known worldwide for its natural beauty. FILE PHOTO: MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
RESTAURANTS: The magazine points out Laguna's "funky downtown restaurants." The city has seen 12 restaurants open or expand in the last year, including Broadway by Amar Santana. FILE PHOTO: CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
CRIME: Crime rates were among the statistics the magazine used to create its rankings. According to the Laguna Beach Police Department's annual report, violent crime was down 9 percent in 2011 from the previous 5-year average. During the same period, property theft jumped 20 percent, mostly due to theft from unlocked vehicles. FILE PHOTO: DAVID BRO, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ART FESTIVALS: Laguna Beach is known for its summer art festivals, including the Festival of Arts, Sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair. Even facing a tough economy, the Pageant of the Masters at the Festival of Arts has continued to see shows sell out and positive revenue. FILE PHOTO: THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
OPEN SPACE: Thousands of acres of open space surround Laguna Beach in what locals know as the green belt. Within city limits, another 1,700 acres are protected. Voters supported a $20 million bond for open space in 1990, and today residents have sweeping views and multiple access points to trails. FILE PHOTO: THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
EDUCATION: According to the U.S. Census, 97 percent of adults in Laguna Beach are high school graduates. About 63 percent of adults have completed a Bachelor's degree or higher, compared with 30 percent statewide. PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
SCHOOLS: The Laguna Beach Unified School District is consistently considered among the best in Orange County. In 2011, the district scored high across the board in the Register's Best Public Schools report. PHOTO BY ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
FINANCIAL SECURITY: According to the U.S. Census, the median value of owner-occupied housing in Laguna Beach 2006-2010 was $1 million. Median income came in at more than $98,000, and about 7.5 percent of residents are below poverty level - about half the state average. PHOTO BY MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ARTIST COLONY: William Wendt settled in Laguna Beach in 1919, and his plein air landscapes of the city helped earn it its reputation as an arts colony. Plein air painters continue to paint Laguna's canyons and coves today. Planning a trip to the city? CLICK HERE to check out 10 views not to miss. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY FIRST AMERICAN

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